Cricket is an Indian sport discovered by the English, goes a popular saying about the willow game. India remains cricket's commercial pulse-point and though England remains the sport's spiritual home, the ‘ gentleman's game' is now intrinsic to the land of Sachin Tendulkar.
To add to England's woes, India has also managed to garner the number one rank in Tests.
However, there is some consolation for the English fans thanks to Charlotte Edwards and her strong bunch of women, who have won the spots that mattered last year — the World Cup and the ICC Twenty20 title.
The men may have ebbed and flowed and nursed their frothy bitters in the taverns, moaning about a long-lost time, howeverCharlotte and her merry group have shown what it takes to win.
The England women's team is now set to play a series of limited overs games against the Indian team led by Jhulan Goswami. Bangalore will be home-base for the initial part of the tour and will host the first two matches.
Women's cricket may appear to be in slow-motion mode when you switch over after watching men's cricket, but there is no mistaking the intent and intensity.
The batters can strike hard and score quickly. “In a match in the World Cup, we almost scored at ten an over in the final phase,” says England coach, Mark Lane.
The bowlers can crank up the pace. “We can bowl adequately fast,” quip seamers Anya Shrubsole and Katherine Brunt. They can also tease and torment with spin. “It is exciting to bowl in Indian conditions that favour spin,” says off-spinner Danielle Hazell.
However, some differences do exist. “I guess they are more emotional. You tick off a player and chances are that you won't hear them speak for about three days,” says Lane .
The England team though is united on girl-power. “We are all excited to be here. We have never won in India, that is added motivation,” says Charlotte, who is also happy about cricket finding a belated entry into the Olympics. “Hope it happens soon, as the Olympics is something that is missing in my resume,” Charlotte says.
Any lessons for their acclaimed male counterparts when it comes to defeating the Aussies? “We won the Ashes, the men too won the Ashes, so I guess we are level,” laughs Charlotte.
The women do have their heroes from the men's team. Names like Darren Gough and Alec Stewart are often mentioned when talk veers to local idols though global icons also find a place. Sarah Taylor quips, “I like the way Dilshan Tillakaratne plays, especially the scoop shot ” Ebony Rainford-Brent, with a Carribean drawl adds, “I like Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara.”
There is an Indian touch to this distinctly English team as Isa Guha, with a family tree extending to Kolkata, is a key bowler of the squad. “I do speak a bit of Bengali. My grandparents are here and I love coming here,” Isa says, though she remains fiercely loyal to England. Isa and Ebony might reflect the multi-cultural ethos of the English countryside but their inclusion is not about tokenism. The two have been selected on merit and are critical to the team's progress.
“They are one of us, born and bred in England and yes their diverse cultures adds value to our team,” says Katherine.
The blasts in Pune have luckily not shaken the spirit within the England camp. “We have faith in the security provided for us,” says team manager, Ray Barker.
However, the women's dreams of taking in the sights and smells of India might just ebb away. “We would love to go out and shop but we hardly have the time,” says Anya.
For the moment they would love to defeat India and also savour the warmth that the skies provide.
“It was snowing back home. When we landed here, it was nice and warm,” Charlotte says before striding away for some cricket-induced sweat.
